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soobooksalot's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved Alex North's The Whisper Man. I didn't care much for The Shadows. The Angel Maker is somewhere between.
Thank you to Celedon Books and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The first chapter winds up with a violent image, of a boy being viciously attacked with a knife.
The book unfolds with multiple storylines and timeframes intersecting. Compelling characters and creepy scenarios keep things moving quickly.
Personally, I struggled a bit to keep some of the connection lines drawn between the characters, and some plot points weren't resolved enough for me.
I enjoyed reading it, but I'm left with questions.
For release on Feb. 28.
Thank you to Celedon Books and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The first chapter winds up with a violent image, of a boy being viciously attacked with a knife.
The book unfolds with multiple storylines and timeframes intersecting. Compelling characters and creepy scenarios keep things moving quickly.
Personally, I struggled a bit to keep some of the connection lines drawn between the characters, and some plot points weren't resolved enough for me.
I enjoyed reading it, but I'm left with questions.
For release on Feb. 28.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Suicide, Drug abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
daniallreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Child abuse, Child death, and Kidnapping
hooksbookswanderlust's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this book.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Addiction, Violence, and Stalking
littlelili1320's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was pretty slow at first because it's from different character's perspectives & they're all catching up with what the other characters, and thus the reader, already know. It picks up though and I didn't forsee everything that happened (ha!). This is the 3rd book from Alex that I have read & I enjoyed all of them
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Out February 28, 2023 [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4/5 stars
The lives and secrets of Katie Shaw, a wife and mother who lived through a violent tragedy in her family’s past, and Detective Laurence Page, investigating the brutal murder of a former philosophy professor, intersect with one another and with the legacy of a gruesome serial killer who believed he could see the future.
I love Alex North’s writing and I love any serial killer thriller, so I was particularly excited for The Angel Maker, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a fast and smooth read, with just the right amount of “wtf did I just read?” mind-bending moments and lots and lots of creepy chills.
I did mostly see the main twist coming, but the real attraction of this book comes less from the plot and more from the fascinating commentary on fate, free will, and religion, which was presented here in a way I’ve never before encountered in a thriller. The Angel Maker is a novel that raises fascinating and important questions and keeps you on your toes until the very last page.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: serial killer thrillers; ensemble casts; paranormal vibes
CW: Murder/blood/violence (including violence towards children and child death); kidnapping; drug use/abuse (off-page); domestic violence/physical abuse
Rating: 4/5 stars
The lives and secrets of Katie Shaw, a wife and mother who lived through a violent tragedy in her family’s past, and Detective Laurence Page, investigating the brutal murder of a former philosophy professor, intersect with one another and with the legacy of a gruesome serial killer who believed he could see the future.
I love Alex North’s writing and I love any serial killer thriller, so I was particularly excited for The Angel Maker, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a fast and smooth read, with just the right amount of “wtf did I just read?” mind-bending moments and lots and lots of creepy chills.
I did mostly see the main twist coming, but the real attraction of this book comes less from the plot and more from the fascinating commentary on fate, free will, and religion, which was presented here in a way I’ve never before encountered in a thriller. The Angel Maker is a novel that raises fascinating and important questions and keeps you on your toes until the very last page.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: serial killer thrillers; ensemble casts; paranormal vibes
CW: Murder/blood/violence (including violence towards children and child death); kidnapping; drug use/abuse (off-page); domestic violence/physical abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse
definitelynotreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alex North is my favorite thriller author, so when I saw that he had a new release coming, I knew I had to read it as quickly as humanly possible. After the Shadows and the Whisper Man, The Angel Maker absolutely did not disappoint. This seems to be his most ambitious project yet, with multiple POVs and overlapping timelines, it has the potential to be confusing. Due to the nature of the book, I was barely able to put it down and flew through it in just over a day. I had chills from the prologue and North managed to maintain the aura of suspense through every page. It didn't outright scare me the way the Shadows did, but I found myself checking the corners and being glad I wasn't reading in sight of any windows.
It was clear early on that the pieces of this story would connect some how, but it wasn't until the very end that the whole picture came together. I often find myself making wild prediction as a read a book, especially thrillers, but my brain only had space for the information it was reading and I rode the twists and turns with the characters predicting very little. One of my favorite things about Alex North books is the POV of detectives as they do a large portion of the detective work in the story. So often thrillers leave the suspense up to amateurs who get themselves into unnecessary scrapes, ultimately making the situation worse. While there were elements of that in this book, it was refreshing to follow detectives on the case as well as both protagonists and antagonists who were directly involved.
Alex North writes the kind of books that make me want to check on him. Are we sure he's okay? Does he have a good therapist? We're truly convinced he's *not* a serial killer himself? I'm glad he's using his genius to entertain us rather than any of the alternatives.
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for my advanced copy to review.
It was clear early on that the pieces of this story would connect some how, but it wasn't until the very end that the whole picture came together. I often find myself making wild prediction as a read a book, especially thrillers, but my brain only had space for the information it was reading and I rode the twists and turns with the characters predicting very little. One of my favorite things about Alex North books is the POV of detectives as they do a large portion of the detective work in the story. So often thrillers leave the suspense up to amateurs who get themselves into unnecessary scrapes, ultimately making the situation worse. While there were elements of that in this book, it was refreshing to follow detectives on the case as well as both protagonists and antagonists who were directly involved.
Alex North writes the kind of books that make me want to check on him. Are we sure he's okay? Does he have a good therapist? We're truly convinced he's *not* a serial killer himself? I'm glad he's using his genius to entertain us rather than any of the alternatives.
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for my advanced copy to review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
bsimro's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Katie has always felt guilty after her younger brother Chris was attacked and disfigured by a stranger. His life seemed horrifically altered while hers remained the same. Years later her mother calls to tell her that Chris has gone missing. At the same time a gruesome murder takes place nearby and Chris seems to be a suspect. As Katie searches for answers all she finds is more questions as to how her brother and a long dead serial killer who could see into the future are connected.
I am a big fan of Alex North and LOVED Whisper Man (seriously go read that one if you haven’t already). The Angel Maker is a slower paced thriller with lots of small, interwoven connections that make more and more sense as the book unfolds. I enjoyed the story arc and ultimately how everything was connected, however, I would have preferred more detail about some of the events and abilities of the characters. This one does have an ambiguous ending so if that is a big turn off for you in a book I would pass on this one. Overall I enjoyed this one but wish there had been a bit more of it!
Thank you Bookish First for this copy!
I am a big fan of Alex North and LOVED Whisper Man (seriously go read that one if you haven’t already). The Angel Maker is a slower paced thriller with lots of small, interwoven connections that make more and more sense as the book unfolds. I enjoyed the story arc and ultimately how everything was connected, however, I would have preferred more detail about some of the events and abilities of the characters. This one does have an ambiguous ending so if that is a big turn off for you in a book I would pass on this one. Overall I enjoyed this one but wish there had been a bit more of it!
Thank you Bookish First for this copy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Murder
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